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The recent recession has affected millions in this country. We’re seeing unprecedented economic loss, record high unemployment and the longest duration of people collecting unemployment benefits in record numbers.

Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the national unemployment rate at 8.2%. The unemployment rate in Georgia is higher than the national average at 9.0%. For Whites, it’s 7.3% while in the African-American community it is doubled at 14.0%. The Hispanic jobless rate falls right behind at 10.3%; and for Asians 6.2%. Long-term unemployed (more than 6 months) is at 42.5%. Unemployment with college graduates is up to 250,000. A recent study has shown that today unemployed college graduates are as vulnerable as high school dropouts to long-term unemployment. Unemployment amongst teenagers is an alarming 25.0%. According to Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, the administration is “putting initiatives in place to create jobs as quickly as possible.” For many, that can’t happen soon enough. [March 2012, www.BLS.gov]

Facts:

FACT: Four million or (31 percent) of Americans have been

unemployed for more than one year.

FACT: Unemployment in the African-American community is

doubled at 14.0% than Whites.

FACT: Unemployment rate for African-American women is 12.3%

compared to the overall rate of adult women at 7.4%.

FACT: 48.0% of all children in Atlanta in poverty live with families

whose annual incomes are less than $15,000 a year.

FACT: Once Americans are out of work for more than a year,

they face a slew of challenges.

FACT: The long-term unemployed often face job discrimination.

FACT: A number of employers require job applicants to be “currently

employed” in order to be considered for a position.

FACT: Current welfare or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)